If you’re searching for a good job in Maine, consider training as a welder!
This trade is ideal for those who like working with their hands and want to be paid well too.
We prepared more details regarding this occupation to help you make up your mind!
A Welder’s Role
A welder must use a variety of tools and heat so that he can melt and piece together two or more metals.
Both knowledge and skill are needed to complete the job because the methodology is rather complicated.
Most Important Duties of a Welder
As a welder, you’re expected to:
- Be able to correctly follow instructions from sketches and blueprints, after carefully analyzing them.
- Choose the right method, out of the more than 100 of them, and the right tools to finish the task.
- Know when and how to combine the electrical and mechanical equipment for the desired result.
- Ensure everything is kept up to the standards, to avoid accidents during manipulation.
Becoming a Welder – Reasons Why
Welders help in the construction of large structures like bridges and buildings that can be scattered around the city.
This can make anyone feel proud of themselves.
You have the chance of working with your hands, as mentioned earlier, and in the open air.
You won’t have troubles finding employment because these professionals are in high demand and the prognosis says there will be a 6% increase in demand for welders, by 2026.
All welders are expected to be:
- Meticulous
- Able to use their hands and fingers well
- Strong and have stamina
- Technical oriented
- Aware of their surroundings
Average Salary in Maine
It’s easy for welders in Maine to earn on average $38,110 per year.
The average yearly income for a welder, around the country, is a bit higher at $39,533.
The 10% best-paid welders in Maine can expect $43,783 per year.
At a national level, the top 10% best-paid welders earn $45,418 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Certified Welders in Maine
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Portland | $39,494 |
Lewiston | $39,099 |
Bangor | $36,128 |
South Portland | $39,494 |
Auburn | $39,099 |
Brunswick | $39,151 |
Biddeford | $39,309 |
Sanford | $39,975 |
Augusta | $37,416 |
Scarborough | $39,494 |
Regional Salary
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bangor, ME | 120 | $56,980 | $27.39 | $73,640 | $42,780 |
Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 90 | $49,030 | $23.57 | $63,100 | $39,040 |
Portland-South Portland, ME | 240 | $55,430 | $26.65 | $66,920 | $43,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Finding Work in Maine as a Qualified Welder
If you don’t know the industries in which you can work, we have some suggestions:
- Aerospace applications
- Construction of buildings and bridges
- Manufacturing
- Auto or motorcycle fabrication and repair
- Gas or oil field power plants and refineries
- Shipbuilding
Top Schools in Maine
Maine has just 5 schools that offer training for welders, and we listed them below.
All these schools received the approval from the American Welder Society and its SENSE Accreditation Program.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), and Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) are the most common welding methods.
All the schools provide classes for these must-know methods.
You can’t start your training if you don’t have a high school diploma or GED.
There are very few cases in which students of the 11th grade are accepted as well.
5 Welding Schools in Maine
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Caribou Regional Applied Technology Center | 308 Sweden St Ste 1 Caribou, ME 04736 United States |
Center Of Applied Tech-North | 800 Stevenson Rd Severn, ME 21144 United States |
Eastern Maine Community College | 354 Hogan Rd Bangor, ME 04401 United States |
Penobscot Job Corps Center | 1375 Union St Bangor, ME 04401 United States |
Portland Arts & Tech High School | 196 Allen Ave Portland, ME 04103 United States |
You might want to check the provided information again, just in case it changed.
Other Employment Options
There are a few other trades in which one can operate if they know how to weld.
Here they are:
- Fitter for pipes
- Boilermaker
- Plumber
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Steamfitter
This page is also available in Spanish.